News
Ex-Davis Langdon partners launch Core Five
QS firm set up by former partners will focus on cost consultancy work for residential, commercial and London schemes
Triple glazing in offices increases carbon footprint
Exclusive whole life carbon research shows extra cost is not offset by emissions reductions
PFI schools bidders will not be told budgets for work
Industry warns that unusual PFI strategy could result in short-term savings but not long-term value
Finance news
Beginning to bounce back
Laing O’Rourke back on top as market seems to grow slightly after two consecutive months in decline
Housing and regeneration
Morrison under fire on £235m Leeds contract
Contractor forced into service improvement plan to tackle ‘failings’ in repairs and maintenance contract
Shapps’ self-build push ‘no panacea’ for housing crisis
Industry says answer to housing crisis still lies in mainstream solutions
Features
The state of play 02: Consultancy
In the second of our sector-by-sector reports, Ian Withers looks at the strategies consultants are adopting to meet the challenges of uncertain times
Projects
The Mary Rose museum: Hidden treasure
The Mary Rose museum is ready for fit-out but to get to this point the contractor had to build around the ancient hull, keeping it at a constant temperature to allow restoration to be uninterrrupted. Thomas Lane found out how the team handled an historic gem
Data
Whole-life carbon: Prestige offices
Using the example of a building in the City of London, Gareth Roberts of Sturgis Carbon Profiling explains how new European standards for whole-life carbon assessment can make big savings
Leader
Kept on their toes
Consultants are having to become more dynamic and flexible to take advantage of new opportunities
Comment
The shift from austerity to growth
Europe’s citizens are rejecting austerity so perhaps their politicians should change tack and start investing in construction to boost economic growth
Legal challenges to HS2: Destination High Court
High Speed 2 holds out the prospect of a much-needed boost to UK construction. But the legal challenges the project faces means it could hit the buffers before it’s even left the platform. Allister Hayman reports
Hansom
Hansom: All's fair in love and war
This week, architects strike back at the Olympic marketing rules, the Queen’s Speech is yet another repeat, One World Trade Center comes up short and Eros gets a little tlc
Legal
Avoiding delays on projects: New CIOB contract
A contract aimed at reducing the factors that lead to costly delays is very much written for modern times - now is your chance to have your say
Tony Bingham: Disputes before payment date
Here’s a recent dispute over payment that was deemed to have crystallised even though the payment date had not been reached
Site investigations: Don't get stuck on shaky ground
A site purchased for development may already have a geotechnical and environmental report attached. But will it offer the developer enough protection?
The impact of the Construction Act six months on
The amended Construction Act has been in effect for over six months. What impact has it had on contracts and what redress does it offer if things go wrong?
Products
Cladding sheet finish
Kalzip has launched Dark Falzinc, a slate grey finish to its Kalzip range of foldable aluminium roof and wall cladding sheets
Digital life
My digital life … with Ben Marston
This associate director went off Socialcam when it dumped like a malevolently incontinent donkey all over his profile
